What is ankylosis?
Primary teeth, also called baby teeth, are usually connected to the jaw bone by a ligament. Sometimes, the connection between tooth and ligament is lost, and the tooth fuses directly to the bone that surrounds it. This condition is known as ankylosis. It is a fairly common condition that occurs most often in the lower first primary molars.

Complications of ankylosis
Ankylosis may cause a number of problems. The fused tooth grows at a slower rate so that it appears to be submerged in the jaw when compared with other teeth. Upper teeth need the support of the lower teeth, so if a lower tooth is "submerged," the tooth above it may grow out of its socket and lose its normal alignment. Finally, and most critically, the roots of the fused tooth often fail to dissolve. If this normal dissolving process doesn't occur, the permanent tooth will be blocked, preventing it from growing in normally.

Removing the tooth
Eventually, the tooth that is ankylosed may need to be removed. This will allow the permanent tooth to come in unobstructed and prevent additional problems. We will work closely with you and your child to determine the best timing for removal of the affected tooth.

Blocked permanent tooth	A collapsing bite	An ankylosed tooth

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What Is Bottle Syndrome?
Understanding bottle syndrome
Bottle syndrome, also called baby bottle tooth decay, is a serious condition that can destroy your child’s teeth. It occurs when teeth are
exposed, frequently and at length, to liquids that contain sugar. The liquid pools around the teeth and gums, providing food for the bacteria in plaque. The bacteria produce acid as a byproduct when they consume the sugar. This acid attacks your child’s teeth and causes decay.

Your child’s teeth are vulnerable to decay from the moment they break through the gums. You may not even notice the decay until it’s too late to save the teeth, so it’s crucial that you prevent bottle syndrome from occurring in the first place.

Why is bottle syndrome such a serious condition?
Bottle syndrome can lead to toothaches, which are painful and make it difficult for your child to eat. Left untreated, the decay caused by bottle syndrome can cause infection, which we may result in us having to remove teeth. If baby teeth are lost too early, your child could suffer from poor nutrition, speech problems, crooked teeth, and permanent damage to adult teeth.

Which liquids cause bottle syndrome?
• Begin cleaning your child’s teeth, as soon as they erupt, by wiping teeth and gums with a clean, damp washcloth or a very soft infant
toothbrush after each feeding.
• If your child takes a bottle to bed, or needs the comfort of a bottle for long periods during the day, put only water in the bottle, or
switch to a pacifier.
• Begin flossing your child’s teeth daily when all primary teeth have come in, usually around age two or two and a half.
• Bring your child in to see us every six months, beginning when the first tooth erupts.
• Find out if your local water supply contains fluoride. If it doesn’t, we can give you a prescription for fluoride supplements.

Promoting good oral hygiene when your child is young can prevent bottle syndrome and promote good dental habits that will last a lifetime!

Severe damage	At bedtime, use water only	Clean teeth after each feeding

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What Causes Cavities?
In science classes, you’ve learned to be very careful with acid. Did you know that you can have acid in your mouth, and that this acid
can cause a hole to develop in your tooth? Read on to find out more!

Plaque — enemy number one
Our enemy in the fight against cavities is plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of food and bacteria that forms constantly on your teeth. The
bacteria in plaque thrive on the sugar in the food, and produce acid as a byproduct when they break down the sugar. Like all acids, the
acid produced by the bacteria is corrosive, which means that it dissolves other materials. Your teeth are the victims of this corrosive action; the acid wears away at them, eventually creating holes in the outer layer of your teeth, called cavities.

Regular checkups are a must
The hard outer layer of your teeth is called the enamel. Cavities first form in the enamel layer of your teeth. Beneath the enamel is a softer layer called the dentin. If a cavity dissolves through the enamel and reaches the dentin, it can grow much more quickly. That’s why regular checkups and cleanings are so important; if we find a cavity, we can restore your tooth while the cavity is still small and isolated in the outer enamel layer.

Repairing and preventing cavities
To repair a tooth with a cavity, we usually remove the decayed portion of the tooth and replace it with a filling, provided the damage is not extensive and there is still plenty of healthy tooth structure remaining. However, preventing decay is the preferred solution! We’ll be happy to work with you so you’ll learn to keep your teeth free of plaque and decay.

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